Jun 3 Part 1: 30 Lessons in 30 Years

I once heard that by age 30, a woman would be at her wisest and would know who she is and what she wants to do in this world. I was in my mid-late 20s, and honestly did not believe that I could possibly know all of that in the next few years when I would reach 30.

Well, 30 is here.

There is some truth in that statement. I know I have a lot of learning left to do. However, I also know that I’ve learned a lot in the past 30 years…

Here, allow me to tell you 15 of the 30 lessons I’ve learned…

1. Listen to your gut. Literally. In first grade, I was sick to my stomach but was too afraid to tell my teacher and towards the end of the school day, let’s just say the janitor had to visit our classroom.

2. Don’t take anything that is not yours. Instead, work hard for it so that you don’t have to take anything and instead, you are given it.

3. If your parents/guardians are nagging on you, be grateful. It means they care. When someone stops paying attention to you, they’ve stopped caring.

5. Join the volleyball team, the Student Council, the Glee Club – even if you’re the only Hmong person, girl, untrained dancer, etc.

6. When you do your very best, not everyone will notice. Keep doing it anyway.

7. Everything happens for a reason.

8. True love starts from within you first. I never understood why they say, “You can’t love someone else if you don’t love yourself.” But it is so true -- I’m talking to you, my dear reader, who doesn’t believe it right now.

9. Learn to save some of your money and treat it with respect, hard worker.

All harnessed up! Let's goooooo!

10. Go with your heart. If it’s all you want to do and it’s healthy for you, go for it. Even if no one encourages you to do it.

11. Believe good things about yourself. You’ll never be enough for yourself if you only think of your flaws. I still remember not liking my body size in eighth grade. I recently found a white & pink top I wore in eighth grade, and thought to myself, “Wow. What were you thinking back then? This top is so small!”

12. Dance alone when others won’t dance with you. Don’t wait on someone for a good time.

13. Find real friends who will tell you like it is. Maybe it’s your childhood buddies or like me, my siblings. You will need them throughout your life.

14. Stick up for yourself. Don’t let the popular kid win the game, just because he’s popular. Show him what you’re made of.

15. The world needs YOU. Not another one of your favorite artists, classmates, best friends, or siblings (although they’re cool too). Create and stay on your own path.